Last term for exec

Mike Breslin said he won't run again for the job he's held since 1995

Updated 10:47 pm, Tuesday, April 12, 2011

ALBANY -- County Executive Mike Breslin told his staff, department heads and close allies Tuesday morning that he would not seek re-election in November to a fifth term.

The 72-year-old Democrat will finish out his term on Dec. 31.

"Serving as Albany County executive has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life," Breslin said. "We've made government more open, professional, transparent and accountable with a focus on public service. Over the course of my tenure, I have accomplished what I set out to accomplish and now it is time to move on to new challenges and opportunities."

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Breslin's name came up often in recent months for a possible appointment in state government by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

On Tuesday, Breslin spokeswoman Mary Duryea said, "He doesn't have any plans to join the Cuomo administration, but he's not ruling that out, to play a role at some point in time. But right now there's been no offer made."

Breslin, a Delmar resident and graduate of West Point, was appointed Albany County executive in 1995 to serve the last year of Republican Michael Hoblock's term. That November, Breslin was elected to the first of four four-year terms.

"I hope things go well for him and his family," County Comptroller Michael Conners said. "He's been a great public servant." Through the years, Conners' name has come up as a possible county executive candidate.

Mayor Jerry Jennings called Breslin "a great county executive. I just wish him the best." At times Jennings and Breslin have not seen eye-to-eye on issues.

Breslin considers his approach to health and human services primary among his administration's accomplishments. He was viewed as a leader in the area of long-term care and supported seniors and individuals with disabilities who wanted to remain at home for as long as possible. His home- and community-services model was based on choice, independence and dignity.

In September 2009, he announced he would close the county nursing home in favor of home care. An outcry ensued from nursing home supporters, many of them county lawmakers. The County Legislature began the process of building a new nursing facility with or without Breslin's blessing. Breslin eventually capitulated.

Breslin also pointed to his Department for Children, Youth and Families, the first such agency in the state which he created in 2001, breaking it off from the Department of Social Services. The new department consolidated delivery of services to identify children at risk at an earlier stage.

Breslin listed increasing efficiencies in county government and turning a "financially draining civic center into a world class arena," that has generated more than $17 million in operating profits.

Over the past 10 years, Albany County received more than $7 million in federal and state grants to make more than 30 energy efficiency improvements at county facilities.

Breslin served in Vietnam as a company commander in the 4th Infantry Division. He was discharged as a major and went to the University of Toledo Law School, where he was editor-in-chief of the Law Review and graduated first in his class. For more than 20 years, he was in private practice.